No more ‘Dr’ for Punjab officers

Chandigarh, Nov 18 (IANS) Taking serious note of officers from the agriculture, horticulture and water and soil conservation departments calling themselves ‘Doctor’, the Punjab government has made it clear that officers who do not have the requisite qualification will not be allowed to use the prefix Dr to their names.

“The Punjab government has taken strong notice of some officers prefixing the word ‘Doctor’ with their names without possessing the appropriate qualification or degree,” a spokesman said here on Wednesday.

He said the practice was prevalent mostly in the department of agriculture and horticulture.

“Only a person holding a Ph.D. degree or a degree in medicine is authorised to use the word ‘Doctor’. Others are not allowed to use the same,” said the spokesman, quoting government instructions.

He said the government has issued strict instructions to the heads of the agriculture, horticulture and water and soil conservation departments to stop this “illegal practice” immediately.

Disciplinary action would be initiated against officers using the prefix ‘Doctor’ without holding the appropriate degree.